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UPDATED: AUGUST 1999

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INCOME UNEARNED

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM NON-LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

Description: Cash contributions from relatives and friends who are not legally responsible, when such contributions are not in return for work performed, are considered unearned income. (See INCOME INKIND INCOME for a discussion of in-kind income and INCOME EARNED for a discussion of earned income.)

Policy: Cash contributions may be countable unearned income when such contributions are not in return for work performed. (See INCOME SSI- RELATED DISREGARDS for SSI-related income disregards)

References: Dept. Reg.

352.16(a)

Interpretation: Since payments of this type are based only on the relative or friend’s willingness or ability to pay, they frequently are irregular. A local district decision is required as to whether and in what amount they are to be considered. While benefits are verified and documented, this should not be pursued to the point where it jeopardizes continued receipt of the contribution. The obligation is not a legal one and the person who is paying may not be willing to put the information in writing. In these instances, the circumstances and the basis for making the decision, as well as any statement are recorded in the case record.

When to Verify: (a) When the A/R declares in the application that s/he receives income from friends or non-legally responsible relatives;